On local time April 26, an explosion occurred at the Shahid Rajai Port in Abbas Port, southern Iran, causing 25 deaths, 1139 injuries, and 6 missing persons, shocking the international community. This port, the most important container terminal in Iran handling nearly 80% of the country's container loading and unloading tasks, suffered severe damage in a precise and mysterious explosion. The behind-the-scenes mystery is thick, with the precision of the strike leading to suspicions of external forces infiltrating, and even possibly a "targeted elimination" operation, exposing the vulnerability of Iran's national security system.
The explosion occurred in the core area of the port, destroying key energy facilities and transportation nodes. According to reports from the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran, by April 27, firefighters had controlled most of the fire but were still extinguishing residual fires. Iranian government spokesperson Fatima Mohajerani stated that the explosion might involve "containers stored in the port containing chemicals," but it would be difficult to accurately determine the cause before the fire was put out. The Iranian Customs Administration said the explosion might be related to "dangerous goods and chemical materials stored in the port," with specific details yet to be disclosed.
A pale red smoke appeared at the explosion site, similar to the 2020 Beirut ammonium nitrate explosion incident, triggering speculation about improper storage of chemicals. Social media videos showed orange smoke emerging from the port before the explosion, further pointing to the possibility of chemical substances. Hussein Zafari, spokesman for the Iranian Crisis Management Organization, revealed that the cause of the explosion might be related to improper storage of chemicals in containers, and the organization had previously warned of safety hazards at the port.
According to analysis by a British maritime security company, the explosion may have been caused by mishandling of chemicals related to missile fuel. Their report states that in March, a ship flying the Iranian flag unloaded a batch of sodium perchlorate at the Shahid Rajai Port. This chemical is mainly used to manufacture ammonium perchlorate, a key component of solid propellants for missiles. The British believe that the fire may have originated from a container holding these chemicals, causing a fire and subsequent explosion due to improper handling. In January this year, The Financial Times reported that Iran imported over 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate, enough to produce 960 tons of ammonium perchlorate, providing fuel for 260 medium-range missiles.
However, the Iranian government has not acknowledged receiving such cargo, and its permanent mission to the United Nations has not responded to requests for comment from U.S. media outlets. If Ambrey's analysis holds true, it raises questions as to why such sensitive chemicals were not promptly removed from the port instead of being left in high-risk areas. This naturally leads to doubts about whether there are serious flaws in port management, or even possible collusion between insiders and outsiders.
The precision of the explosion is astonishing: surveillance systems "just happened" to malfunction, security responses were delayed, and intelligence warnings were nonexistent. Such a high level of operation requires deep understanding of port operations, material layouts, and even Iran's internal security system. Analysts pointed out that this explosion could be described as a "surgical strike," almost impossible to complete solely through external forces. Iran's internal systems may already have been compromised like "a sieve." In recent years, Iran's tough stance on geopolitical issues has made it a focal point for multiple parties, and certain forces may have weakened its strategic capabilities through this event.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated on April 23 that the security department was on high alert due to past sabotage and assassination attempts. Although the official authorities did not categorize this explosion as an attack, its oddity resembled previous precise destruction actions targeting Iran's nuclear facilities and military industries. The explosion occurred when Iran was conducting the third round of indirect negotiations on the Iran nuclear issue with the United States in Oman, making the timing sensitive and adding to conspiracy theories.
Iranian President Peyman has instructed the Ministry of Interior to fully assist the injured, control the situation, and expedite the reconstruction of the port. Minister of the Interior Ismail Momemi formed a special committee to investigate the cause and losses of the explosion. The Shahid Rajai Port, located at the Strait of Hormuz, is a critical channel for global oil transport. Iran confirmed that the explosion did not affect nearby oil facilities, but the port's operations were severely impacted, posing a threat to its economy and strategic position.
This explosion not only exposes the chaos in Iran's port management but also reveals the vulnerability of its national security防线. Long-term storage of sensitive chemicals, malfunctioning early warning mechanisms, and ineffective security measures all point to systemic problems. Against the backdrop of tense global situations, if Iran does not quickly address these security vulnerabilities, similar "odd" events may follow suit. This explosion is not just a physical destruction but a profound warning to Iran's national security.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7499003899286684195/
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